What's eating my caraway thyme?

Caraway Thyme faces the same pest pressures as other low thymes: spittlebugs foam up on stems each spring, aphids colonize soft tips, and slugs graze the mat in damp conditions. Its tight, woody growth gives some protection but spider mites can take hold in dry summers. Overall pest pressure is low compared to leafier herbs.

Foam-covered nymphs on stems in spring; some distortion of shoot tips inside the froth. Hose off firmly; no pesticide needed in most cases; repeat after rain if colonies return.

Soft insects on growing tips; sticky honeydew; leaves curl and lose vigor. Water jet; insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial predators.

Holes in the mat and missing shoot tips, mostly after rain or in shaded, damp areas. Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night; raise pot containers off the ground.

Pale stippling and webbing on undersides of tiny leaves in hot, dry summer conditions. Mist foliage to raise humidity; apply neem oil spray in the evening.